Myrtle Beach, SC - Day 2

Coasting along...

Ready for another costal adventure?  Start your day out right at:

Barefoot Barista Coffee and Tea House
10080 Ocean Highway #10B
Pawley’s Island, SC 29585
843-957-7803
www.barefootbarista.net

Here’s the kind of non-chain character-filled coffee place that I adore.  No corporate java here, just a friendly, artsy atmosphere where you can strike up a conversation with just about anybody.  The brochure lists the operating  hours as “7-ish - Late”—that’s an attitude I can enjoy.  If you don’t end up here for breakfast, you can have salads, soups, sandwiches, and a tantalizing selection of savory and dessert crapes.  Yes, you have my permission to eat dessert crapes for breakfast.

Head just a short hop south on 17 and look for the cluster of shops on the west side of the rode marked “Island Shops.”  Wander toward the back of the adorable little retail village, behind the pond, until you find:

Island Knits
Island Shops
10659 Ocean Highway 17
Pawley’s Island, SC 29585
843-235-0110
http://www.islandknit.com/

It’s like stumbling upon some great knitting Aunt’s summer cottage.  Cats wander around, ducks and such paddle around the water, and a set of rocking chairs sits waiting outside the shop.  

When I arrived, there was a friendly group of women just finishing up a hour of knitting and heading off to lunch—sounds like a perfect day to me!  Owner Susan Annalora even introduced me to a “friendly” silk spider spinning in the tree on the edge of the water.  “Charlotte” and I didn’t get very chummy, but I admire spinning of any sort, I suppose.  

The shop is filled with

inspiring samples, a nice selection of buttons, and I was impressed with Susan’s patience while helping customers find product or solve problems.  Boasting a big tourism trade, there is a lot of focus on accessories and other not-too-long-term projects.  Sit N Knit is popular (as evidenced by the group upon my arrival), lessons are, too; but multi-session classes don’t have as much of a draw.  I loved the “Low Country” feel of the place—almost like a movie set but more authentic.  The hour I spent sitting on the waterfront porch rocking and chatting was one of the most pleasant of my trip.  Here are a few projects you might want to check out:

Our Knit Along will be the:
Island Knit Shawl

"You can make this out of anything!” boasts Susan, but she offered up a ball of Lang Sol Degrade stretchy, jersey-like cotton.  200 yards of this and a set of size 15 needles, and the very simple instructions get you an elegant, drapey summer shawl that is a Island Knits favorite.  Make sure you get instructions for the yarn-over cast off to ensure the best results.

Drop Stitch Shoulder Wrap

Another popular accessory that can do double duty as a wrap or a cowl.  This simple loop works up in any heavy worsted weight yarn.

Mirasol’s Illaris Cardigan
Want something with a little more challenge?  Take on this beautiful lace edge pima cotton cardigan.  I love the mix of textures, and you can go solid or create an eye-catching color combination like you see here.

Sirdar Loopy Helmet
How adorable is this quirky baby hat from the Snuggly DK book?  One skein of any dk weight yarn—think of the fun you could have with the colors!—creates one of the most unique baby hat’s I’ve ever seen.  Super cute and just begging for pats on the head, don’t you think?

If you haven’t spent all your money on yarn, the village boasts other lovely shops. Here are two of my favorites:

Earthly Treasures
Island Shops
10659 Ocean Highway 17
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
843-237-1792
A little bit of everything, and nothing you’ll find in the mall.  Gemstones, seashells, jewelry, carvings, and all kinds of unusual gifts.

All Fired Up
Paint Your Own Pottery
Island Shops
10659 Ocean Highway 17
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
843-314-3495
www.allfiredupstudios.com
If you really want a fabulously creative day, call ahead and talk to Carla so she can set you up to make your own yarn bowl.  She’s endlessly friendly and encouraging—I’m an accomplished knitter but I tend to rot at other crafts, but she made me feel like even I could create something I’d be proud to show off.

When you’re ready for lunch, you won’t have to go far.

Bistro 217
10707 Ocean Highway 17
Pawleys Island SC 29585
843-235-8217
www.bistro217.com

What’s good here?  According to Susan at Island Knits, “everything!”  Still, if you’re looking for advice, she suggests the Pecan Encrusted Trigger Fish Salad.  If you end up here for dinner, try the 217 Eggplant Treasure Chest or the Pan-Seared Lobster, Shrimp and Scallops. Yum.


For the rest of your day, I offer up two options—one north, one south:

Brookgreen Gardens
1931 Brookgreen Dr,
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 235-6000
http://www.brookgreen.org

It’s gardens, and a zoo, and a

museum, and an arts haven…this is a pretty amazing place.  Not just flora and fauna, the gardens hosts an impressive collection of figurative sculpture by American artists.  I like that your admission ticket is good for seven days, so you don’t feel like you have to cram everything into one visit. During certain seasons you can also purchase in-park excursions such as a pontoon boat ride and the butterfly house.

If that doesn’t suit, head a few minutes down Route 17 to the charming historic seaport of:

Georgetown

It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon popping into shops, “window shopping” boats along the docks, wandering streets with old oak trees and historic looking homes—the whole waterfront experience.  And it has a yarn store!  Stop in and say hello to Ellen at JOYfilled Garden and Gifts. Part gift shop, part antiques haven, part “come and sit a spell” parlor, part yarn shop, it’s a one-of-a-kind establishment that will hopefully get it’s own DestiKNITions adventure.

That wraps up my yarn-y travel advice for Myrtle Beach.  Stay tuned for the next post as I cast on the Island Knit Shawl.